Apple TV+: top 10 best shows

Since launching its first series in 2019, Apple TV+ has quietly produced quite a few high-quality original series that span multiple genres. While Apple TV+ can’t boast as much content as some of its streaming competitors, the company’s approach (as always) — is quality over quantity. The company has built a reputation for quality content and unique storytelling, making its shows critically acclaimed and keeping viewers coming back time and time again.

Apple TV+ has a reputation for quality content and unique storytelling, which is why its shows are critically acclaimed and keep viewers coming back again and again.

From Split to Ted Lasso — the service has proven its ability to create unique series that are garnering audiences around the world. Its growing catalog includes psychological thrillers, hilarious comedies, crime dramas and more, with most of them — more hits than misses. Apple TV+ doesn’t fill its content library with haphazardly created one-off shows — it collects must-see series that continue to convince viewers as a reliable source of entertainment. For those wondering where to start, here are the best Apple TV+ original series that deserve a spot at the top of any viewer’s watch list.

These are the best Apple TV+ original series that deserve a place at the top of any viewer’s watch list.

Foundation (2021-)

An ambitious adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s acclaimed science fiction saga, “Foundation” imagines a distant future in which the once-powerful Galactic Empire stands on the brink of collapse. This is aided by the predictions of Hari Seldon (Jared Harris), a brilliant mathematician who develops psychohistory — a science that accurately predicts the fall of society. To prevent an inevitable dark age, Seldon establishes the Foundation — a group charged with preserving knowledge and guiding humanity toward rebirth. Meanwhile, the ruling Cleons, a succession of cloned emperors (played in different eras by Lee Pace, Terrence Mann, and Cassian Bilton), cling to power while facing new threats.

They’re a series of cloned emperors.

“Grounded” immediately draws viewers in with its compelling world, which is made believable through stunning visuals. The show’s non-linear narrative demands the viewers’ attention, but it is definitely worth it. “Foundation” offers an interstellar epic with political intrigue and daring mysteries that have cemented its status as one of the most promising sci-fi series.

An interstellar epic with political intrigue and daring mysteries that have cemented its status as one of the most promising sci-fi series.

Blackbird (2022)

“Blackbird” — is a crime mini-series based on a chilling true story. It tells the story of recently convicted drug dealer Jimmy Keane (Theron Egerton), who is sentenced to ten years in prison. Jimmy gets a chance at parole when he is offered a daunting task: transfer to a maximum-security facility for the mentally ill and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) to extract confessions about his victims. He soon finds himself drawn into a dangerous game, pretending to be a hardened criminal in order to get close to Hall.

However, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous game, pretending to be a hardened criminal in order to get close to Hall.

“Blackbird” — a gorgeously shot series that relies heavily on the compelling interplay between Egerton and Hauser, who play their roles flawlessly. It is both a psychological chess game and a tense character study. And at the same time, it’s a suspenseful thriller that raises the stakes with each new episode. The claustrophobic setting makes it impossible to hide from the horrifying truths that are revealed in the main characters’ conversations, reminding viewers that truth is often stranger than fiction.

Mystic Quest (2020-)

Office workplace comedy and modern sitcom, Mystic Quest — is a series about games, specifically the chaotic industry responsible for creating massive hits. It revolves around the dysfunctional team behind the titular fictional blockbuster MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), led by egotistical creative director Ian Grimm (McElhenney) and lead engineer Poppy Lee (Charlotte Nicdao). This odd duo often clash: Poppy’s technical genius is no match for Ian’s grandiose designs. Along with the two protagonists, a team of quirky and petty developers are at play.

The game is a team of quirky and petty developers.

“Mystic Quest” mocks the gaming industry. It mocks aspects such as the culture of crunch (regular recycling) and the selfishness of the tech world, and tackles topics not often seen on the small screen. The 2020 series also refuses to revert to the status quo, instead pushing its characters’ storylines forward and encouraging fans to latch on to them. The comedy series can be surprisingly dark and emotional, with some episodes tackling topics like isolation during a pandemic and the effects of burnout.

Some of the episodes are also dark and emotional.

For the Sake of All Mankind (2019-)

The movie For Humanity’s Sake begins with a fascinating alternate history premise: the Soviet Union lands on the moon before the United States. That difference alone pushes NASA into extended competition, and the space program accelerates much faster than in the real world. Soon lunar bases are established, missions to Mars are launched, and other technological advances change world politics. The cast includes astronaut Ed Baldwin (Joel Kinnaman), his wife Karen (Chantel VanSanten), engineer Margot Madison (Renn Schmidt), and others. Each season shows the changes that occur with each decade, following new generations as they contribute to NASA’s ever-increasing ambitions.

The show’s cast and crew are the only ones who have ever been involved in NASA’s ever-increasing ambitions.

The 2019 series — is a fantastic example of proper speculative fiction. It weaves real-life figures and events into its story, making its timeline seem eerily plausible. The time jumps keep the plot fresh, ensuring that fans are eagerly awaiting the new season.

And it’s a great way to keep the story fresh.

The Hideout (2023-)

Based on Hugh Howey’s Shelter novels, the TV series of the same name is a dystopian thriller set in a world where the last remnants of humanity live in a massive building. Inside the massive tower, the inhabitants adhere to strict rules that are supposedly designed to protect them from the toxic outside environment. After a shocking discovery by Sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo), engineer Juliet Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson) begins to uncover the dangerous truth about their situation. Soon, more and more of the tower’s occupants learn bits and pieces of the structure’s hidden history, which leads to riots.

She’s not the only one who’s been in the tower, but she’s also the only one who’s been in the tower for years.

The movie “Hideout” takes its time and presents a gripping story with more questions than answers. Rebecca Ferguson is magnetic as the fierce and intelligent Juliette, whose role as an ambiguous character gives the audience the opportunity to choose which side to root for. There are other interesting characters in “Hideout” whose stories unfold as the series carefully unravels mysteries that keep viewers hooked without revealing too much too soon. Clear world-building and suspenseful storytelling have helped the series become one of the most compelling sci-fi dramas of recent years.

So far, the series has been one of the most compelling science fiction dramas of recent years.

Slow Horses (2022-)

Gary Oldman plays the role of wit and slob Jackson Lamb in Slow Horses, where the once-great spy leads the disgraced MI5 agents who make up Slough House. The team, which includes River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), Syd Baker (Olivia Cooke) and Catherine Standish (Saskia Reeves), are assigned tedious, dead-end assignments as punishment for their past failures. Everything changes when a kidnapping plot jeopardizes national security and the so-called “slow horses” are suddenly faced with real spy work. The misfits try to prove that the MI5 rejects are actually useful, even when ulterior motives threaten their lives and positions.

The slow horses try to prove that MI5 rejects are actually useful, even when ulterior motives threaten their lives and positions.

“Slow Horses” — is a fresh take on the espionage genre, its irreverent approach evident in the bold comparisons between the sleek world of MI5 in Regent’s Park and the dystopian nightmare of Slough House. The action sequences tend to be down-to-earth and tense, favoring grim realism over glossy spectacle. The show’s main strength is its cast, and the character-driven spy thriller relies on the dynamics and transformation of the spies to keep viewers eagerly awaiting each new episode.

A spy thriller with character relies on the dynamics and transformation of the spies to keep viewers eagerly awaiting each new episode.

Patinko (2022-)

“Patinko” — a gripping multi-generational saga that begins in Japanese-occupied Korea in the early 1900s, where young Sunja (Minha Kim) is determined to create a good life despite the hardships she faced as an immigrant. This story is intertwined with a story from her future, where she — is a matriarch (played by Yoon Yoo Jung) whose grandson Solomon (Jin Ha) faces business problems in 1980s Tokyo. At the center of the drama is —an ill-fated romance between Sunja and the wealthy Ko Hansu (Lee Min Ho), whose decisions change her fate forever.

Sunja is a woman who has a relationship with her husband (played by Yoon Yoo-jung).

Despite its sweeping narrative, augmented by gorgeous cinematography, the strength of “Patinko” is its surprisingly intimate storytelling. Each episode — is a visual and emotional delight, and the dreamlike aesthetic only enhances the series’ deeply human moments. The series for Apple TV+ — is a masterpiece of prestige television, telling a tragic yet hopeful story of those who dare to build their lives against the odds.

The series is a masterpiece of prestige television, telling a tragic yet hopeful story of those who dare to build their lives against the odds.

The Therapy (2023-)

After the death of his wife, therapist Jimmy Laird (Jason Segel) is struggling to cope, and is particularly troubled by his inability to bond with his teenage daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) on the TV series “Therapy.” Overwhelmed by grief, he reaches a breaking point and begins giving his patients unfiltered, brutally honest advice, abandoning the careful neutrality expected in his profession. This unconventional approach has various effects on his vulnerable patients, which doesn’t escape the notice of Jimmy’s mentor, the legendary Dr. Paul Rhodes (Harrison Ford). Add to that his feisty colleague Gaby (Jessica Williams) and overly impressionable neighbor Liz (Christa Miller), and Jimmy turns out to have quite the support group.

The movie “Therapy” soars thanks to the amazing chemistry between Segel and Ford’s characters. Segel brings his trademark awkward humor and charm that blends perfectly with Ford’s dry wit and well-timed moments of warmth. This duo becomes the center of a series that maintains a humorous optimism without losing its emotional look at the unpredictable nature of grief.

See Segel’s performance.

Ted Lasso (2020-2023)

“Ted Lasso” — is a sports drama that has transcended its genre to become a life-affirming cultural phenomenon. The movie is about the almost irritatingly optimistic Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), an American college soccer coach unexpectedly hired to manage the struggling English soccer team AFC Richmond. He is initially perceived as an incompetent buffoon, but Ted’s unfailing positivity and genuine concern for his players transforms the club from the inside out. He soon gains the respect of those around him, including captain Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein), assistant coach Byrd (Brendan Hunt) and many others.

Accordingly, Ted’s attitude and genuine concern for his players transforms the club.

Sudeikis delivers a role that has become career-defining. The actor imbues Ted Lasso with a believable drive that helps him not just be a one-dimensional cartoonish optimist. In the beginning, because of some of the tropes, you may find the series quite typical. But remember – this is just the beginning. Let it unfold, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the storylines and the story as a whole.

Division (2022-)

In the chilling world of “Univision,” a shadowy corporation has pioneered a procedure that promises employees work-life balance. But what’s the catch? The controversial procedure surgically separates work and personal memories, ensuring that the “inner” personalities working in the corporation’s office and the “outer,” their outside personas, cannot learn about each other’s experiences. This is the reality that grief-stricken Mark Scout (Adam Scott) lives in, while his “inner” personality creates life in the office with coworkers Dylan (Zach Cherry), Irving (John Turturro), and Helly (Britt Lower). When strange occurrences raise questions, they confront a corporate trap and the higher-ups at Lumon Industries to find the answers.

They’ll have to fight their way to the top of the organization to find the answers.

“Split” appealed to viewers because of its corporate satire. Sterile office spaces and retrofuturistic aesthetics create an unsettling atmosphere, making a familiar workplace seem both absurdly ordinary and frighteningly inevitable. It’s undoubtedly Apple TV+’s most original and unsettling series yet.

The Apple TV+: top 10 best TV series was first published on ITZine.ru.